The new Al-Jazeera America is making a home, but for those people that completely prejudge and misunderstand the purpose of their news outlet, let me enlighten you.
Al Jazeera started in Qatar and over the past 10 years it has built rapport world wide through its coverage of the Arab Spring to up to date and interesting perspective on issues having global consequences.
With Al-Jazeera-phobia everyone has recently, its hard to see what is write and wrong. Even the Washington Post had to mention that regardless of how much success they may be able garner, many Americans feel uneasy about the name and origins of the organization.
Let me set the record straight. Al-Jazeera had nothing to do with the attacks on 9-11, rather they produced content and understand about what happened day just like every other news organization in the world. In fact, the Taliban was sending over tapes to the organization which Al-Jazeera handed over to U.S. news agency for their viewing.
The organization has also made an effort to rebrand--but not re-label themselves--to appeal to an American audience. They have news anchors from networks like CNN and CBS, their shows will be broadcasted from the Newseum in DC and they report national and international from a variety of perspectives. I understand people question their judgment regarding Al-Qaeda dealings in the Middle East, but this is America, a new ball field, a new audience whose ears and eyes need to open up to the larger world of broadcast and online news.
Personally, several educated Americans already watched Al-Jazeera English on line or in major cities; but this Islamic-angst that many Americans seem to have with the name has tainted their future success. Just the name Al Jazeera--sounding so foreign--seems like a challenge to overcome by some Americans, but let me break down what it actually means. Al-Jazeera in Arabic means 'island' like the Arabian island of Doha, Qatar--the land of oil rich Arabs. Al Jazeera in Arabic's Chairman Hamad bin Thamer originally served in the Ministry of Information in Qatar and later began the network. Imagine, a news organization started by Arabs, and later expanded with partnerships with BBC and created Al-Jazeera English. They have broken out of their boundaries to give the best possible news.
So get comfortable because with the money they have they will be around for a while!
